Ports groups have given a cautious welcome to plans for post-Brexit free ports which the Government says could create “thousands of jobs”.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss used a visit to Teesside to say that the Government plans to create “the world’s most advanced free port model” as soon as possible.
Free ports are areas inside the 海角视频 geographically, but legally outside of the 海角视频 customs territory. Once the 海角视频 leaves the EU, seaports and airports across the 海角视频 will be invited to bid to become one of up to 10 free ports with the aspiration of increasing trade with new markets across the world.
Ms Truss said: “What we’re talking about here is attracting new jobs into the country as a whole by doing things differently - and not being subject to some of the bureaucracy and rules that have held businesses back.
“I speak to lots of businesses frustrated by the level of red tape and I also think this area with its specific skills in engineering, onshoring and wind turbine production - and the technology around ports themselves would all be opportunities for Teesside specifically.
“We transformed London’s Docklands since the 1980s into Canary Wharf by giving that area new freedoms to do things differently - it’s now one of the world’s main trading centres. I think we can do that on Teesside. I absolutely do.”
Meanwhile, Labour has warned free ports risk eroding workers’ rights - and that a lack of regulation could benefit money launderers and tax evaders. There have also been warnings that free ports could simply move jobs from one part of the country to another.
Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said: “Freeports and free enterprise zones risk companies shutting up shop in one part of the country in order to exploit tax breaks elsewhere, and, worst of all, lower employment rights.
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“The British people did not vote for this new administration and they certainly did not vote to see their jobs and livelihoods threatened in favour of gifting further tax breaks to big companies and their bosses.”
During the Tory leadership campaign, Mr Johnson pledged to create “about six” free ports, while the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak wrote a paper in November 2016 on free ports for the Centre for Policy Studies think tank.
The Department for International Trade will also launch a Free Ports Advisory Panel which will include ministers from the Department for International Trade and the Treasury.
Panellists include David Cameron’s former special adviser Daniel Korski, who last year wrote in an article for City AM that a no-deal Brexit would be “disastrous” for technology firms. Also on the panel is small business champion Emma Jones, who coordinated an open letter alongside 68 other business owners which warned that no deal would be a “disaster” for small companies.
Port of Tyne chief executive Matt Beeton said: “The Government’s Free Ports Advisory Panel needs to consider the complex needs of manufacturers like Komatsu, Nissan and others and create solutions that safeguard jobs and stimulates further foreign investment.
“We strongly believe a Free Port covering the region’s advanced manufacturing cluster and key transport nodes like the Port of Tyne has the potential to supercharge regional growth by unlocking post-Brexit opportunities in new and existing supply chains.”
Peel Ports - which owns the Port of Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal, as well as sites in Scotland, Norfolk and London - welcomed the free ports plan.
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A spokesperson for the company said: “We are pleased to see the announcement that Freeports are to be reintroduced to the 海角视频.
“The Port of Liverpool was the largest freeport in the 海角视频 when they were replaced by Customs Warehousing in 2012. Since then, we have continued to champion the ‘port-centric’ logistics model on our dock estates, including Liverpool, which already sees the processing of goods from over 50,000 containers, food manufacturing on-site, and an offer to support small and emerging businesses that trade internationally.”
A spokesperson for Associated British Ports, which operates a number of 海角视频 ports, said: “Associated British Ports is delighted by the Government’s announcement on freeports today.
“ABP is a strong supporter of freeports since they offer the potential to attract significant new investment, boost manufacturing and exports. In doing so, freeports can create thousands of new jobs in many areas where they are most needed.
“Many ABP ports and sites located close to our ports, such as Port Talbot and the Humber International Enterprise Park, offer large areas of development land close to deep water, ideal for facilitating the efficient import of raw materials or components and export of finished products. Freeports can capitalise on these advantages and make these sites even more attractive for investment in new manufacturing.
“We look forward to working closely with Government to deliver this exciting and ambitious policy.”